PHANTOMS HIT THE LAKES

Earlier this week, members of the Peterborough DALROD Phantoms started their 2014-15 campaign by holding a training camp for players and coaches at Tallington Lakes in Lincolnshire.

Over a 24 hour period, players were put through various team building and physically challenging events to display stamina, overall work ethic and willingness to work in a team environment. Some of the workouts included military based exercises, agility courses, kayaking and raft building. Players and coaches slept in tents overnight before waking up at dawn for a second round of workouts.

Sprinkled between activities, the team went through classroom based sessions covering strategy, Peterborough hockey history and individual and team goal setting.

The team finished the camp by running up Tallington’s largest ski slope one at a time in order to earn the their playing jersey for the season. Exhausted but smiling, every member of the squad accomplished the test.

Phantoms new Development Co-ordinator Lee Elias, who was in charge of the camp, felt it was a success. “We were very impressed by both the overall effort and resolve of the boys. Doing this much physical activity in a short period of time really shows the character of players as individuals but also as a team. This event has set a foundation for which we can build on for the rest of the year.”

Jason Buckman, homegrown experienced forward also felt the camp was fundamental to creating a team bond. “I have been part of many previous Peterborough teams and have never seen a group of players come together so quickly. This has to be one of the best pre-season activities I have been a part of.”

The Phantoms will continue preparing for the season over the next two weeks with practices scheduled for most nights along with three home exhibitions game starting Saturday against the Elite League Hull Stingrays at 7PM at Planet Ice Peterborough. The Stingrays have just announced former Phantom Matty Davies as their Captain for the upcoming season.

The following weekend (Sept 6-7) the Phantoms will take on the MK Lightning both Saturday and Sunday night with puck drop at 7PM and 5:30PM respectively.

The Peterborough DALROD Phantoms are the cities semi-professional ice hockey team, based at Planet Ice Arena Bretton. This fast, exciting and physical sport is the fastest growing indoor sport in the country. The team is made up of locally trained players who have progressed through the excellent Peterborough youth development, players from across the UK and International players from Europe. In current and recent seasons, a number of Peterborough Players have represented their countries at Junior and Senior level at the IIHF World Championships and Olympic Qualification tournaments.